Apparatus having a locking mechanism that locks a connector of a peripheral device thereto

Abstract

An apparatus that lockably connects a connector of a peripheral device to the apparatus. The apparatus includes an apparatus body having a receptacle portion that receives the connector and a locking mechanism that locks the connector in place in response to a main switch of the apparatus being turned ON. The locking mechanism includes latching members that are connected to a connecting arm and at least one of the latching members being connected to the main switch. By moving the main switch, portions of the respective latching members enter the receptacle portion and lock the connector in place. The apparatus optionally includes a control device that controls whether a signal flows to the receptacle portion based on if the connector is detected as being locked in place. Also, the invention optionally includes a compulsory unlocking mechanism and provisions for allowing the connector to be inserted into the receptacle even though the main switch is in the ON position.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. An apparatus that lockably connects a connector of a peripheral device thereto, said apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having a receptacle formed in an internal portion of said apparatus body, said receptacle having a generally hollow internal portion defined by at least two opposing side portions with respective passageways formed therethrough and a receptacle opening of sufficient size to receive said connector and an electrical current therefrom;   a locking mechanism disposed within said body, comprising, a first latching member having a first latching portion disposed thereon and adjacent to one of said passageways,   a second latching member having a second latching portion disposed thereon and adjacent to another of said passageways;   a connecting arm configured to be moved to at least a first position and a second position, said connecting arm connected on a first end to said first latching member and connected on a second end to the second latching member such that   moving said connecting arm to said first position forces said first latching portion and said second latching portion to extend through respective of said passageways, and   moving said connecting arm to said second position causes said first latching portion and said second latching portion to be withdrawn from respective of said passageways; and     a main switch attached to said apparatus body and configured to be moved between an ON position and an OFF position, said main switch connected to said first latching member and configured to move said connecting arm to said first position when moved to said ON position and to said second position when moved to said OFF position,   said connector of said peripheral device being locked in place in said receptacle when said main switch is in said ON position and being unlocked when in said OFF position.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said main switch comprises a main power switch for said apparatus, said main power switch controlling an ON/OFF operational state of said apparatus; and   said receptacle configured to receive said electrical current in a form of direct current power from said connector only when said main switch is in said ON position and said connector is locked in place, said peripheral device comprising an alternating current adapter configured to provide a direct current power through said connector.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first latching portion and said second latching portion are adapted to fit in respective depression areas formed in said connector when said connector is locked in place. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first latching portion and said second latching portion comprise a conductive material that electrically and mechanically connects with said respective depression areas of said connector, said depression areas of said connector also comprising a conductive material. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said first latching portion and said second latching portion being retractably disposed on said first latching member and said second latching member, respectively,   said first latching portion and said second latching portion retracting at least part way into respective of said passageways when said main switch is in said ON position and said connector is moved through said receptacle opening.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first latching member and said second latching member each comprise a spring that urges respective of said first latching portion and said second latching portion toward said generally hollow internal portion of said receptacle. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first latching portion and said second latching portion each comprise a tapered face oriented to oppose a direction in which said connector is moved through said receptacle opening. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a compulsory unlocking button that is configured to, when depressed, cause said first locking portion and said second locking portion to retract into said respective passageways thereby unlocking said connector of said peripheral device so the connector may be removed from said receptacle even though said main switch is in said ON position. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: said peripheral device; and   a control circuit comprising, an electrical current source that provides the electrical current to said receptacle,   a detector that detects when said first and second latching portions are connected to said connector, and   a current flow control device coupled to said detector and said electrical current source, said current flow control device enabling said electrical current to flow to said receptacle when said detector detects a connection exists, and prevents said electrical current from flowing when said detector does not detect a connection.     
     
     
       10. An apparatus for lockably connecting a connector of a peripheral device thereto, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving said connector in a body of an apparatus, said means for receiving comprising a receptacle means;   means for accepting an electrical current from said connector;   means for controlling an ON state and an OFF state of said apparatus; and   locking means for locking said connector in said receptacle means only when said connector is placed within said receptacle means and said means for controlling causes said apparatus to be in said ON state, said locking means including, means for latching said connector in said receptacle means by inserting latching portions into respective receiving portions of said connector when said means for controlling is placed in said ON state,   means for coordinating said latching portions to be inserted into said receiving portions by a movement of said means for controlling when said means for controlling is placed in said ON state.     
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said receptacle means is for receiving a direct current as said electrical current, and said peripheral device being an alternating current adapter. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said latching portions include latching portion means for being projected into a depression area formed in said respective receiving portions of said connector when said connector is in said receptacle means in order to lock the connector of the peripheral device in the receptacle means. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: said receptacle means has an internal portion that receives said connector; and   said latching portion means is for allowing said connector to be inserted into said receptacle means and locking said connector in place after said means for controlling has caused said apparatus to be in said ON state.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising bias means that urge said latching portion toward said internal portion of said receptacle means so that said latching portion move into said depression area of said connector after said connector is fully inserted into said receptacle means. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising compulsory unlocking means for unlocking said connector even though said means for controlling causes said apparatus to remain in said ON state. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising said peripheral device, said peripheral device comprising, electrical current source means for providing the electrical current to said receptacle means,   detector means for detecting when the connector is locked in place by the locking means, and   current flow control means for allowing said current to flow to said receptacle means when said detector means detects that the connector is locked in place and for preventing the current from flowing to the receptacle means when said detector means detects that the connector is not locked in place.